Grace for All

Have you noticed how some people seem to focus chiefly on what differentiates themselves from others?  “Those fitness freaks…” or “The 1% snobs…” or “The blue-collar, white-collar, no-collar, etc.”  

In some cases these differences can be good things.  They might facilitate a stronger bond with others of similar interests (sewing circles, sport leagues, car clubs, etc.), and in many cases these differences are harmless – welcoming outsiders of similar interest to be a part of our “tribe” rather than to be excluded.

But in other cases these differences are emphasized in order to cause separation, exclusion or even excommunication.  In the most sinister of cases, this can even be applied as a justification for separating people from God.  “God’s grace extends to most people, but not to them.” is the sentiment, whether spoken or simply implied.

Even in the Church, many well-meaning folks have spoken phrases that sound innocent enough on the surface, but which convey a tragic message when followed to their logical conclusions.  You may have heard some of these phrases before:

“Jesus came only to save sinners…”

“Jesus came only for the down and out…”

“God loves you, but everyone else thinks you’re a jerk.”

The astonishing reality is that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, he made time for every people group, some of whom we might expect and others that might come as a surprise.

Many of His teachings and many of His healing miracles were to the Jews, God’s “elect” people, going back to the Abrahamic covenant.  But Jesus also ministered to and taught Samaritans (see John 4), who were considered “impure half breeds” by the Jews, and were the faithful companions to the Jews in a long-standing blood feud.  Jews and Samaritans usually avoided each other because it was the only way they could think of to avoid bloodshed.  They didn’t view each other as neighbors but rather as enemies.  But Jesus ministered to them.  Worse yet, Jesus championed a “good” Samaritan in a parable when responding to a question about how to love our neighbors.

Jesus ministered to Pharisees (see John 3), and to rulers of synagogues (Jairus in Luke 8), and to many other hard working Jews (farmers, shepherds, fisherman and the like).  But Jesus also ministered to politicians (herodians – see Matthew 22), Roman centurions (Matthew 8) and Gentiles (Mark 7:24-30).

Jesus ministered to the masses (Mark 6), to individuals (Luke 8:43-48) and even to demons (Luke 8:26-32).  But Jesus also ministered to the social outcasts on the fringes of society: children (Luke 18:16), beggars (Luke 18:35-43) and rich men (Luke 19:1-10).

Jesus ministered to everyone, but He never forced His grace on anyone.  A rare and astounding gift is the Gospel, but it is a gift that may be received or rejected.  Perhaps we can learn from the example of our Lord, and offer this same grace freely and without qualification.

And all things through wisdom and the discernment of the Holy Spirit, of course.  I’ve heard it well said that, “I’ll minister to anyone, but I choose my influencers very carefully.”  This is an excellent mindset, and I’ll offer a re-phrase to compliment it: “Choose your influencers very carefully, but minister to everyone.”